The Marlboro democrat. [volume] (Bennettsville, S.C.) 1882-1908, 1887-07-20
GIVING n LIGHT.
Tho Manners or Spanish, German
English and American Smokers.

A AIAlkSlt5tl &tttNl [AllkCIIC{lIl GOIIlOINCIS.
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There is q certain variety in the man
ncr Of giving and taking Il light for a
cigar that is interesting to all smokers.
Tho Italians and French successfully
copy the Spanish style, which is the
most graceful and elegant Of all, the
only possible objection to 1T being that
it may sometimes carry politeness be-
You'd q reasonable range. But, after
all. 1t is simple and friendly enough.
The Spaniprd bows and asks his neigh
Dor for q light. The latter, returning
the bow, Immediately presents him with
his cigar, holding out tho lightcdend at
a slight angle between the thumb and
second finger. The other takes tho
cigar and, after procuring the needed
fire from it, reyerses 1t skilCully and re-
turns it. tho entire operation being &C
companied by another graceful bow,
and each raises his hat as he turns to
go away. The Spaniard always smokes
through his nose. lie considers 1t ex-
travagant to waste any good smoke
through his mouth, and inveteratc
smokers in all countries agree with
him.
The German is more polite in asking
for q light than he is in giving it. Even
with the best intentions, in the latter
case his efforts have all The appearance
Of reluctance. Sometimes, when his
cigar is smoked down nearly far ell
ough, lie will throw it away Immediate
~ after granting a request for fire.
This among tho Iatins is considered
rudo and boorish in the extreme, and
is sometimes regarded as positively in
| Sulting.
Tho average ]Inglishman hcsitates
before he gives q light, and finally acts
as if lie had achieved Il mighty feat in
c0ndcscension. Instead Of lifting his
hat, his hand is moro likely to 60 into
his pocket, and he is apt to give a part
ing puff with an air of Indignation rs
he stalks away. Possibly this comes
from the fact that he v asks for q
light himself, and is always well armod
| with matches,
The American, of late, seems to be
somewhat avcrse to letting anyone take
Il light from his cigar. He takes it Tor
granted that it must be much better
than his neighbours, and not wishing ia
contamlnato it, he nswers an appeal
for fire with Il match. Sometimes lie
politely lights the match, and in such
cases he present it With an air good
enough for any S%paniard. But this
somewhat new custom may possibly be
Of Irish parentage. The Irish peasant
always strikes q match for his firefess
friend or fellow traveller, and even in q
gale Of wind he will hold Il lighted
match i'll tho hollow Of his hands and
h%umorously issue orders for the capture
Of tho previous flame.
The giving or taking Of a light for
cigar is q small affair, but little things
often reveal a great deal of the charac.
ter, disposition and breeding Of mel
1t should always DO offered clleerfully
and taken politely. In this country il
need not be done with that extreme
%politcness and elegance which may be
said to DO the exclusive property Of the
Lattns, and which is probably beyond
the reach Of colder and moro sober
races but it should be accompanied by
that good fellowship which is governed
by common sense, the foundation Of al
politcness.